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From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishappropriateap‧pro‧pri‧ate1 /əˈprəʊpri-ət $ əˈproʊ-/ ●●●S2W1AWL adjectiveRIGHT/PROPERcorrect or suitable for a particular time, situation, or purposeOPP inappropriateappropriate forclothes appropriate for a job interviewappropriate toan education system which is more appropriate to the needs of the studentsit is appropriate (for somebody) to do somethingIt would not be appropriate for me to discuss that now.it is appropriate (that)It seemed somehow appropriate that we should begin our journey here.appropriate time/place etcI didn’t feel that this was an appropriate time to mention the subject of money.highly/entirely/wholly appropriateI thought his remark was highly appropriate, given the circumstances.The timing of the announcement was particularly appropriate.Where appropriate, I delegate as much work as possible.Mark box 1 or 2, as appropriate.I can assure you that appropriate action will be taken.► see thesaurus at suitable —appropriateness noun [uncountable]

appropriateap‧pro‧pri‧ate2 /əˈprəʊprieɪt $ əˈproʊ-/ verb [transitive] formal1STEALto take something for yourself when you do not have the right to do thisSYN stealHe is suspected of appropriating government funds.2BFPGUSE somethingto take something, especially money, to use for a particular purposeappropriate something for somethingCongress appropriated $5 million for International Women’s Year. → misappropriate→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

appropriate• Yet the means of production are privately owned, and the profits are appropriated by individuals.• Carlin is suspected of appropriating company funds.• An awareness of old historyencouragescaution when it is appropriated for a contemporary cause.• Eventually their designs were appropriated for industrial production, which could be sold at cheaper prices.• Other reactionarypoliticiansvie to appropriatehistoricalsymbols of pre-communist antiquity.• Since then, spending has slowly increased each year, but the Legislature has always appropriated more than Weld has requested.appropriate something for something• Congressappropriated $11.7 billion for anti-drug campaigns.From Longman Business Dictionaryappropriateap‧pro‧pri‧ate /əˈprəʊpri-eɪtəˈproʊ-/ verb [transitive]1LAWto take something for yourself when you have no right to do thisThe generals appropriated defence funds, leaving their men unpaid for months.2ECONOMICS to take something, especially money, officially for a particular purposeCongress has appropriated funds for the railroad for the next two years.→ See Verb tableOriginappropriate2(1400-1500)Late Latin past participle of appropriare, from Latinad-“to” + proprius“own”